Where to Party 2011 Away

The possibilities are endless for the last night of the year ... if you want to go out on the town, we've got 150 or so specifics ...

End Times Spasm Band. Party like it's 1929 at this Jazz Age soiree. The party includes New Orleans-style sounds courtesy of the End Times Spasm Band, late night appetizers and a midnight Champagne toast. Open until 4 a.m. Period attire encouraged. Make a night of it by enjoying a prix fixe dinner before the show. Cliff Bell's, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 313-961-2543. $20, $10 after midnight. (9 p.m.)

Champagne,confetti, balloons, resolutions, cheap party favors, "Auld Lang Syne," midnight kisses and 2 a.m. pizza buffets — the familiar trappings of a modern-day New Year's Eve spent out on the town. While we by no means denigrate the equally fine choice of hunkering down inside in front of the boob tube, popcorn and flannel pajamas at the ready, it can't be denied that there is an allure to a New Year's Eve done right.

Luckily, there's a seemingly endless (OK, it's closer to about 150 by our list) number of those ways to do the town; you just have to find the one that fits your mood. Perhaps saying good riddance with a drunken bacchanalia is in order, a cathartic exorcising of a shitty year before starting 2012 with a clean slate.

Or perhaps the year was filled with personal blessings — a steady job, a new baby, a wedding or a clean bill of health — and the occasion should be marked with appropriate class. A swanky party, some dignified dancing, tearful singing at midnight.

Or you've finally paired off and want the whole couple-y shebang, complete with fancy meal and deep meaningful stares over bubbly served up in commemorative stemware. Or you're single — happily — and want nothing more than to dance, drink and snog some stranger at midnight.

Or you're single — miserably — and want nothing more than to drink (a lot) and watch the witching hour come and go without kisses, confetti or noisemakers, in blissful ignorance of everything except your impending New Year's Day hangover.

Or none of the above quite fits you — but that's alright. Because, chances are, there's a New Year's Eve out there that will match your mood. You just have to find it — which is where Metro Times' annual guide to New Year's Eve happenings comes in handy.

So hunt down the perfect night out, corral a DD if needed and make a memorable start to your best year yet. —Megan O'Neil, listings editor

A New Year's to Remember. Ring in 2012 with the masters of fondue with a five-course prix fixe menu. Includes a split of Champagne and keepsake stemware. The Melting Pot, 26425 Novi Rd., Novi, 248-347-6358. $130 per couple, $70 per person.

An Intimate New Year's Eve with Roy Davis Jr. Dance in the new year with legendary house music producer Roy Davis Jr. Mars Bar will provide all of the amenities to make the night: Food, Champagne toast and party favors. Starting off the night are DJs Marc Duncan & Tommy Cool. Drink specials all night long. VIP tables available. The Mars Bar, 10001 Joseph Campau , Hamtramck, 313-974-6575. $25. (8 p.m.)

Beer Bash New Year's Eve. Beer bash featuring Third Coast Kings with Dirty Devile and a series of special Rat Pads that will be tapped at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. The Third Coast Kings are a proper deep funk and soul outfit. In the tradition of '60s and '70s funk groups, the Kings detonate with an explosive sonic force that is guaranteed to make you move. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti, 734-480-2739. Free. (8 p.m.-1 a.m.)

D.B. Cooper's NYE Bash. $3 drinks all night, live music from Under the Covers, a Champagne toast and a 2 a.m. buffet to soak up the alcohol. D.B. Cooper's, 29028 Campbell, Madison Heights, 248-398-7951.

Emagine New Year's Eve Party. Drinks, music, dancing and a buffet dinner with proceeds from the party benefiting Variety the Children's Charity. New Year's Eve movie packages are also available that include buffet dinner, your choice of film, two drink vouchers and unlimited popcorn. Emagine Theatre, 200 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 248-414-1000. Party: $25, $35 VIP; NYE at the movies: $50.

End of '11. Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres from 9-11 p.m. and a dessert bar, then shake off the calories with DJ iMix in the nightclub. Party favors and midnight Champagne toast included; bottle service and VIP available. South Bar, 210 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-593-8133. $35 advance, $40 doors. (8 p.m.)

Gaelic League New Year's Celebration. A toast to the Irish New Year at 7 p.m., a community potluck - bring a dish to pass - and performance by McSpillin. Gaelic League, 2068 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 313-964-8700. Free. (8 p.m.)

Harbor House New Year's Party. Enjoy a special prix fixe menu in the lounge or regular dining available in the main dining room. No cover, live entertainment and more. Harbor House, 440 Clinton St., Detroit, 313-967-9900. Free.

Months on End. Only three performances to benefit the Tipping Point Theatre. New Year's Eve performance includes hors d'oeuvres from Rocky's of Northville, wine and a midnight toast. Tipping Point Theatre, 361 E. Cady St., Northville, 248-347-0003. New Year's Eve $75.

Motor City New Year's Eve: The Drop. Experience the second annual dropping of the D in the heart of downtown at the Hard Rock Cafe and the Compuware atrium. Featuring DJ Paradime of Kid Rock's Twisted Brown Trucker Band, DJ Psycho and DJ RC. Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh serves as emcee. A brand-new D will drop 60 feet outside Compuware building to usher in 2012. Includes cocktails from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., cash bar until 4 a.m., strolling hors d'oeuvres. Compuware World Headquarters' Atrium, One Campus Martius, Detroit, 313-355-0413. $95 advance, $120 doors. (9 p.m.)

Motor City Wine NYE Party. Music from Trio Apocalypto, open bar or cash bar packages and a Raclette station, a Swiss New Year's tradition of a melty mountain cheese, served with a selection of potatoes, crusty bread, vegetables, cornichons, cured meats and more. Motor City Wine, 608 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313-483-7283. $75 open bar package, $25 designated driver/cash bar option.

New Year's Eve at Tapestry. An evening of soul music with Chuck Jackson and a dinner buffet at midnight. Tapestry, 24580 Evergreen, Southfield, 248-356-5602. $35 advance at neptix.com, $45 doors. (9 p.m.)

New Year's Eve at the Avenue. Party in three rooms, each with its own theme or head outdoors for two huge heated tents. With music from DJ AMF, DJ Just Nick and more. Avenue Sports Grille, 3632 Elizabeth, Wayne, 734-729-7337. $10. (9 p.m.-4 a.m.)

New Year's Eve at the Gem & Century Theatres. Enjoy a gourmet dinner, a performance of either The All Night Strut Holiday Show or Sister's Christmas Catechism, and a festive New Year's celebration complete with a live band, dancing, balloon drop, Champagne toast and more. Gem Theatre, 333 Madison Ave., Detroit, 313-963-9800. $110.

New Year's Eve with Time Machine. Includes a strolling buffet, cash bar, non-alcoholic beverages, dessert, party favors, a midnight toast and two sets of time traveling classic rock. Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Rd., Canton, 734-394-5300. $45. (9 p.m.)

Northville Nite Family New Year's Eve Party. Carnival games, music, food, crafts are only a few of the activities on this fun-filled family night. Northville Recreation Center at Hillside, 700 W. Baseline Rd., Northville, 248-349-0203. (4:30 p.m.)

NYE @ The Lights. Dance with DJ Frankie Banks and guests. Celebrate with the Northern Lights Lounge family with a free buffet and $5 splits to toast in the new year. Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W. Baltimore, Detroit, 313-873-1739. $5.

NYE with Jamie Lissow. He's a high energy performer from the East Coast who appeared on all the late night talk shows and in his very own special on Comedy Central. Ring in the New Year with him in an unforgettable show. 10:30 p.m. show includes party favors and Champagne toast at midnight. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, 734-996-9080. 8 p.m. $25, 10:30 p.m. $30.

Resolutions@5th. Includes a complimentary midnight buffet and broadcast of the ball drop from Times Square. Call for more info on available packages. Fifth Avenue Ballroom, 25750 Novi Rd., Novi, 248-735-4011. $20. (5 p.m.-4 a.m.)

Ring in the New Year at the Reserve. Enjoy an open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, sweets table and Champagne toast at midnight. Live entertainment and dancing provided by the Simone Vitale Band. Tickets include tax, gratuity and valet parking. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Laurie Djya at ldyja@bigrockchophouse.com. The Reserve Birmingham, 375 S. Eton St., Birmingham, 248-647-7774. $100. (8 p.m.)

The Roaring Twenties. Tickets start at just $25 for this glam 1920s-themed shindig which includes party favors, midnight Champagne toast and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets guarantee admission before 10:30 p.m. Black Finn, 530 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 248-582-9460. $25.

The Sugar House NYE 2011. First seating from 5 to 9 p.m. includes five drink tickets, live entertainment and appetizers. Second seating from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. includes five drink tickets, Champagne toast, live entertainment and appetizers. E-mail jeff@sugarhouse.com to purchase tickets. The Sugar House, 2130 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 313-962-0123. First seating $50, second seating $60. (5 p.m.)

The Ultimate Grand Celebration. Dine at one of the casino's signature restaurants, dance in the clubs, play at the tables and crash in the four star hotel. Reservations recommended for dinner in the restaurants and advance tickets recommended for parties at V and Ignite. MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third St., Detroit, 877-888-2121.

The Whitney's New Year's Eve 2012. Enjoy a four-course dinner with wine pairings and live music. Seatings at 4, 6 and 9 p.m. The exclusive afterparty takes place from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. in the third floor Ghost Bar and features an open bar, Champagne toast, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment from the PanaMo Group. 9 p.m. seatings include admission to the afterparty or purchases tickets for just the afterparty. Call for reservations. The Whitney, 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313-832-5700. (10 p.m.)